NASA's newest Mars rover snags 1st rock sample for return

NASA's newest Mars rover has successfully collected its first rock sample for return to Earth, after last month's attempt came up empty

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA’s newest Mars rover has successfully collected its first rock sample for return to Earth, after last month’s attempt came up empty. The Perseverance rover's chief engineer, Adam Stelzner, called it a perfect core sample. "I’ve never been more happy to see a hole in a rock," he tweeted Thursday. A month ago, Perseverance drilled into much softer rock, and the sample crumbled and didn't get inside the titanium tube. The rover drove a half-mile to a better sampling spot to try again. Team members analyzed data and pictures before declaring success.